C Bk Qatar S Regulatory News (CBQS)

The Commercial Bank (P.S.Q.C.) Announces

Financial Results for the Half Year Ended 30 June 2017

18 July 2017, Doha, Qatar: The Commercial Bank (P.S.Q.C.) ("the Bank"), its subsidiaries and associates ("Group") announced today its financial results for the half year ended 30 June 2017. The Group reported a net profit of QAR 179.6 million as compared to QAR 482 million for the same period in 2016, a decrease of 62.8%.

Key financial highlights for the Group compared to the same period in 2016:

· Total assets of QAR 133.4 billion, up by 4.8%

· Customer loans and advances of QAR 83.6 billion, up by 8%

· Customer deposits of QAR 74.4 billion, up by 3.2%

· Net operating income of QAR 1,767.1 million, down by 3.1%

· Operating profit of QAR 1,079.6 million, up by 7.8%

· Cost income ratio of 38.9% as compared to 45.1%

· Provisions on non-performing loans at QAR 961.5 million, up by 59.5%

· Net profit of QAR 179.6 million, down by 62.8%

· Earnings per share of QAR 0.45

His Excellency Sheikh Abdulla bin Ali bin Jabor Al Thani, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Commercial Bank, said, "Commercial Bank has had a solid first half of the year. The banking system in Qatar is stable, with the Central Bank governor recently announcing that liquidity levels in the country are good and meet all customer requirements. Qatar's reserves and investment funds are more than 250% of gross domestic product. Qatar remains the world's biggest exporter of gas to liquids products, a clear competitive advantage and a key driver of economic growth."

Financial Performance

Mr. Hussain Al Fardan, Commercial Bank's Vice Chairman, added, "Commercial Bank delivered an operating profit before provisions of QAR 1.1 billion in the first half of 2017, an increase of 7.8% over the same period last year. Growth was primarily driven by an increase in the overall balance sheet and loan growth, tight and well managed costs as well as an improved performance by ABank in Turkey."

Net operating income for the Group decreased by 3.1% to QAR 1,767.1 million for the half year ended 30 June 2017, down from QAR 1,824.3 million achieved in the same period in 2016.

Net interest income for the Group decreased marginally by 0.8% to QAR 1,228 million for the half year ended 30 June 2017 compared to QAR 1,237.6 million achieved in the same period in 2016, due to tight control on the cost of funding. Net interest margin remains stable at 2.2% compared to Q1 2017.

Non-interest income for the Group decreased by 8.1% to QAR 539.1 million for the half year ended 30 June 2017 compared with QAR 586.6 million for the same period last year. The overall decrease in non-interest income was due to lower income from investment securities.

Total operating expenses were tightly managed at a Group level, down 16.4% to QAR 687.5 million for the half year ended 30 June 2017 compared with QAR 822.9 million for the same period in 2016. Costs reductions were primarily driven by lower staff and administrative expenses.

The Group's net provisions for loans and advances increased by 59.5% to QAR 961.5 million for the half year ended 30 June 2017, from QAR 602.9 million for the same period in 2016. The non-performing loan (NPL) ratio increased to 5.6% during the first half of the year as compared to 4.8% for the same period in 2016. However, loan coverage ratio increased to 84.3% in the first half of the year compared to 78.5% for the same period in 2016.

The Group delivered balance sheet growth of 4.8% for the half year ended 30 June 2017 with total assets at QAR 133.4 billion, compared to QAR 127.3 billion for the same period in 2016. Total asset growth was driven mainly by an increase of QAR 6.2 billion in loans and advances and QAR 3.4 billion in investment securities.

Group's loans and advances to customers increased by 8% to QAR 83.6 billion for the half year ended 30 June 2017 compared with QAR 77.4 billion for the same period in 2016. The growth in lending has been generated, mainly from the services sector.

Group's investment securities increased by 22.4% to QAR 18.8 billion for the half year ended 30 June 2017 compared with QAR 15.4 billion for the same period last year. The increase is mainly in Government bonds.

Group's customer deposits increased by 3.2% to QAR 74.4 billion for the half year ended 30 June 2017, compared with QAR 72.1 billion for the same period last year.

Mr. Joseph Abraham, Commercial Bank's Group Chief Executive Officer, commented, "The first half of the year has demonstrated we are on the right track with the implementation of our Strategic Reshape plan, positioning the Bank for future growth. 

"At a Group level, interest income increased 6% to QAR 2.4 billion, while operating profit before provisioning increased 7.8% to QAR 1.1 billion, as compared to the same period last year. Net profit for the six months to 30 June 2017 was QAR 179.6 million, a result which was affected by our prudent provisioning against Commercial Bank's loan portfolio."

"Investment and securities increased 22.4% to QAR 18.8 billion, driven mainly by increased investments in government bonds. Customer deposits increased 3.2% to QAR 74.4 billion."

"Our lending remains strong, with an 8% growth overall, while Commercial Bank's domestic loans and advances increased by 10.7%, demonstrating the benefits of our diversified loan book."

"In line with our strategy, we've also achieved good cost control across our operations, with operating expenses down 16.4% as compared to H1 2016. Consequently, our cost to income ratio has further improved to 38.9% in H1 2017 as compared to 45.1% for the same period in 2016. Similarly for the Domestic Bank we have improved the cost to income ratio to 34.5% in H1 2017 as compared to 37.6% for the same period in 2016."

"ABank delivered solid growth in Turkey, showing progress in delivering on the key commitments in our Strategic Reshape. Net Interest income was up 19.8% to TL 224 million (QAR 224.3 million), while a reduced level of provisioning helped drive up Net Profit to TL 53.7 million (QAR 53.8 million) compared to a loss of TL 57.8 million in the first half of 2016."

"For our Associates, NBO reported a profit of QAR 246.3 million, while UAB continued to focus on its business reshape plan and delivered a profit of QAR 54.6 million."

"Our results are underpinned by the team's commitment to innovation and digital transformation. The future of banking is increasingly digital and Commercial Bank is at the forefront of this change. The first half of the year has seen Commercial Bank deliver on our digital transformation agenda through such initiatives as the:

· First in market 60 second online remittance service, greatly reducing the end to end process time for clients. Initial launch to Indian bank accounts, with progressive roll out to other countries

· First in market launch of electronic 'e-Gifts' allowing clients to instantly send electronic cash gifts with a personal greeting to family and friends (both CB and non-CB clients), cash can be transferred or withdrawn from CB ATM's

· First Board of Directors electronic voting system in Qatar, allowing us to simplify and accelerate the voting process

· Rollout of 'CB Smart' wifi and tablets across CB offices, supporting paperless meetings and, together with digital signature and digital archiving initaitives, reducing internal waste, improving productivity and the speed of decision making.

· First Blockchain pilot in Qatar, completed with our regional partner banks, this innovative new technology in fund transfers has huge potential to transform the sector"

"Commercial Bank has been recognized with several market leading awards, including two prestigious awards at The Asian Banker's International Excellence in Retail Financial Services 2017 Awards Ceremony held in Dubai."

"Commercial Bank was awarded the "Best Retail Bank in Qatar," in recognition of our strong personalized approach to banking, with high levels of customer service and innovation. We were also awarded the "SME Bank of the Year in the Middle East," in support of our specialized banking services for Small and Medium Enterprise Business customers."

"Our Visa Signature Credit Card for SMEs has been awarded the "Best New Product in Qatar for 2016" by Visa, Inc. The award was made in recognition of Commercial Bank's innovation to introduce a customised product to meet the needs of the market. The Visa award follows another award win for the same Credit Card from The Banker Middle East magazine in January".

Subsidiary in Turkey

Alternatifbank ("ABank") delivered a net profit of TL 53.7 million (QAR 53.8 million) for the half year ended 30 June 2017 (TL 57.8 million loss for the same period in 2016).

Net operating income increased by TL 71.3 million to TL 271.1 million (QAR 271.4 million) for the half year ended 30 June 2017, from TL 199.9 million (QAR 249.3 million in 2016), due to increase in net interest income, net fee and commission income and net foreign exchange income. As at 30 June 2017, ABank had increased its customer lending by 16.4% to TL 11.7 billion (QAR 12.2 billion) from TL 10.1 billion (QAR 12.7 billion) in June 2016. Customers' deposits increased by 15.1% to TL 8.3 billion (QAR 8.6 billion) during the first half of the year, compared to TL 7.2 billion (QAR 9.1 billion) during the same period last year.

Associates

National Bank of Oman

National Bank of Oman ("NBO") net profit decreased by 11.4% to OMR 26.1 million (QAR 246.3 million) for the half year ended 30 June 2017 as compared to OMR 29.4 million (QAR 277.9 million) in the same period in 2016. Net operating income decreased by OMR 2.2 million (QAR 20.3 million) to OMR 65.6 million (QAR 620.6 million), from OMR 67.8 million (QAR 640.9 million) in the same period in 2016. Provisions for loans and advances increased by 7% to OMR 5.6 million (QAR 52.5 million). As at 30 June 2017, NBO maintained its customer lending at OMR 2.8 billion (QAR 26.3 billion) and customers' deposits increased by 6% to OMR 2.6 billion (QAR 24.4 billion) compared to the same period last year.

United Arab Bank

United Arab Bank ("UAB") net profit decreased by 22.1% to AED 55.1 million (QAR 54.6 million) for the half year ended 30 June 2017 over the same period in 2016. The operating income for the half year ended 30 June 2017 decreased by 27.4% to AED 345.6 million (QAR 342.4 million), from AED 475.8 million (QAR 471.4 million) in 2016. Net Interest Income decreased by 29.3% and non-Interest Income decreased by 22.1%, as compared to the same period in 2016. UAB's loans and advances decreased by 10% to AED 13.4 billion (QAR 13.3 billion) as at 30 June 2017, while customers' deposits decreased by 9% to AED 13.9 billion (QAR 13.7 billion) compared to the same period last year.

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Notes to Editors

About Commercial Bank

Commercial Bank has total assets of QAR 133.4 billion as at 30 June 2017. As a full service commercial bank, the Bank offers a full range of corporate, retail and investment banking services as well as owning and operating exclusive Diners Club franchise in Qatar. The Bank's countrywide network includes 29 full service branches and 177 ATMs.

Profitable every year since incorporation in 1974, continual investment in technology and human capital, together with a strong capital base, provides a solid foundation for continued growth. A successful diversification strategy has expanded Commercial Bank's GCC footprint through strategic partnerships with associated banks, the National Bank of Oman (NBO) in Oman and United Arab Bank (UAB) in the UAE. NBO, the second largest bank in Oman with total assets of OMR 3.6 billion as at 30 June 2017, has 60 conventional branches and 6 Islamic branches in Oman and 1 branch each in Egypt, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. UAB is headquartered in Sharjah, with total assets of AED 21.2 billion as at 30 June 2017, and operates 18 branches across the UAE. Building on the successful execution of the Bank's expansion strategy to date, Commercial Bank acquired a majority stake in Alternatifbank in Turkey in 2013 and became a 100% owner through a put option exercised on 19 December 2016.

Commercial Bank enjoys strong credit ratings of (A2) from Moody's, (A+) from Fitch, and (BBB+) from Standard & Poor's. The Bank is listed on the Qatar Exchange and was the first Qatari bank to list its Global Depository Receipts (GDRs) on the London Stock Exchange. Commercial Bank's Swiss Franc bond issuance in December 2010, listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, was the first public bond issuance by a Qatari bank in Switzerland. Commercial Bank's latest bond issuance in June 2014 and June 2016 are listed on the Irish Stock Exchange.

Commercial Bank was awarded the "Best Retail Bank in Qatar" and named the "SME Bank of the Year in the Middle East" for 2017 by The Asian Banker based on its specialised banking services for small and medium Enterprise business customers. The award "SME Bank of the Year" adds to similar national awards in 2015 and 2016. Commercial Bank also won the "Best New Product in Qatar for 2016" for its Visa Signature Credit Card for SMEs by Visa, Inc. in addition to the "Best SME Credit Card" from The Banker Middle East - Qatar product awards. In recognition of its CSR activities benefitting the Qatari community, Commercial Bank was awarded the "Best CSR Report", at the Corporate Social Responsibility awards ceremony for organisations in Qatar. The Bank won the "Best Cash Management Bank in Qatar" award at The Asian Banker Middle East & Africa Transaction Banking Awards in 2016 and the "Best Investor Relations award for mid-cap companies" at the Qatar Stock Exchange's annual IR awards ceremony in 2017 recognising best practice in Investor Relations.

The Bank is dedicated to supporting Qatar's community and social infrastructure through Corporate Social Responsibility programmes and sponsorship of various events. Title sponsorship of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters reflects the Bank's promotion of excellence in sports and its keen interest in enhancing Qatar's international sporting reputation. www.cbq.qa

About Alternatifbank (ABank)

ABank was established in 1991. Commercial Bank became the majority shareholder in ABank in 2013 holding a 74.24% stake, following the acquisition of ABank shares of 70.84% from the Anadolu Group and 3.40% through a public tender offer. In December 2016 the Bank completed the put option exercise of purchasing 25% of share in Abank from Anadolu group. Currently the Bank owns 100% of ABank shares.

ABank is a mid-size Turkish bank that predominately serves medium-sized companies through a country-wide network of 53 branches. ABank provides commercial/corporate banking services and products, with a special focus on the growing segment of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. ABank's main product ranges cover trade finance instruments, working capital finance, cash management, and portfolio management.

As at 30 June 2017, ABank had total assets of TL 18.4 billion, total loans stood at TL 11.7 billion, customer deposits of TL 8.3 billion and shareholders' equity of TL 1.4 billion.

https://www.abank.com.tr/en/